How the Gordon Craig Theatre revived panto back in the 80s
So how did the GCT panto become one of the longest-running pantos in the country, setting the blueprint for others to follow? Stevenage's place in panto folklore is guaranteed thanks to the venue's former arts manager, Bob Bustance. It was down to the venue's foresight in signing TV celebs and revamping a tired format that helped revive panto, making it the Christmas family tradition we know and love today. This was partly down to Bustance’s appointment of Kevin Wood to produce the pantos in Stevenage back in the 80s. Among those to appear at the GCT in those days were
Source: whtimes.co.uk